The third annual Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria powered by GoodLife Fitness, a mass participation cycling event to celebrate cycling, will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2013, Event Director Seamus McGrath announced today.

After two successful years, hosting thousands of cyclists at the event in late spring, event organizers have shifted the event date to extend participants' summer training season, link in with other cycling events in the Pacific Northwest and enable the event namesake, Ryder Hesjedal, the opportunity to attend the event.

“September is a great cycling month in Victoria - it's usually dry and warm,” said Seamus McGrath, TDV Director. “Participating in the Tour [in] September is a great training season goal to keep you on your bike throughout the summer.”

On September 22, 2013, cyclists from across the country will gather in Victoria for the third annual Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria powered by GoodLife Fitness, which is quickly becoming Canada's premier GranFondo (a supported mass participation ride.) The event is headlined and supported by Canada's premier cyclist, 2012 Giro D'Italia Champion and Olympian Ryder Hesjedal.

“I am really looking forward to defending my Giro title in Italy in May, and challenging for the yellow jersey at the Tour de France again,” says 2012 Giro D'Italia Champion, Ryder Hesjedal. “I'm excited to be able to join you in Victoria in September to ride - for me in 2011 it was a big highlight. September is a great time to be out on your bike in Victoria, so I'm excited to see Tour participants get the chance to ride our world-class routes at their best.”

Seamus McGrath expects the 2013 Tour to build on lessons learned and successes from the 2011 and 2012 events.

“Each year we've asked our participants and volunteers to provide us with feedback on the tour route and operations, and we have received some great feedback,” said McGrath. “Riders loved the variety of routes in 2012, so we'll be sticking with the three distances of 140km, 100km and 50km.”

The finish line for all three distances will remain in Victoria at the B.C. Legislature.

A detailed route map will be made available in the coming weeks at www.tourdevictoria.com. For participants who want to begin training, this map will provide key information to assist with Tour preparations.

GoodLife Fitness will continue to power the Tour as a presenting sponsor. The successful partnership began in 2012. As a bonus to 2013 Tour registrants, and to help them in their training, GoodLife Fitness will be giving all TDV riders complimentary one to three month memberships.

“GoodLife Fitness is excited to continue our support for the Tour de Victoria in 2013. It's great to see the event growing and cyclists from across Canada participating,” said GoodLife Fitness Founder and CEO, David Patchell-Evans. “GoodLife will be spreading the word about the Tour de Victoria at our close to 300 clubs across the country.”

Registration is now open. To register for the Tour de Victoria or for more information, please visit www.tourdevictoria.com.

“Also new this year, $5 from every registration will go to support our two charity partners: Ryders Cycling Society of Canada and the GoodLife Kids Foundation (GLKF),” said McGrath. “It's important for us to be able to give back to the community and we know our riders are interested in being able to be part of that as well.”

Backed by world champion and former Canadian Olympic rower, Silken Laumann, the GoodLife Kids Foundation is a private Canadian Foundation that envisions a Canada where all kids have the opportunity to benefit from an active life. www.goodlifekids.com

Ryders Cycling Society of Canada is dedicated to create and sustain opportunities for Canadians to ride bicycles and is spearheaded by renowned Canadian cyclist, Ryder Hesjedal. www.ryderscyclingsociety.org